Media Briefing: Developments in the Middle East & the perspectives for WMD Disarmament – September 1

Despite the covid pandemic, the last 12 months have seen a flurry of activity in the Middle East in the field of regional security: The Abraham Accords, moves by the USA and Iran to return to compliance with the JCPOA, and elections in the USA, Iran and Israel, among many others.

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METO’s summer course – WMD Disarmament & Security in the Middle East

METO’s summer course will run from August 10 to September 2, 2021 and will provide students with a thorough understanding of weapons of mass destruction proliferation across the Middle East and North Africa region and efforts to strengthen international non-proliferation regimes. The course will be taught through a gender lens and with perspectives from the Middle East.

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In The Zone – Episode 13 – Israeli Elections Special

In episode 13 of In The Zone, Paul Ingram interviews our very own Sharon Dolev. In this interview, Sharon talks about the recent Israeli elections in which Benjamin Netanyahu was finally ousted from power, the prospects for the new government, the possibility of moving towards Israel recognising its possession of nuclear weapons and engaging with states of the region to establish a WMD-free zone, and what people outside the region can do to help.

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In The Zone – Episode 12 – Iranian Elections Special

In episode 12 of In The Zone, Paul Ingram interviews our very own Emad Kiyaei and Nima Khorrami. In this interview, Emad and Nima talk about the recent Iranian elections in which the conservative Ebrahim Raisi was elected into power, the prospects for the new government, the implications for regional efforts to reduce military tensions and the establishment of the WMD-free zone.

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In The Zone – Episode 11 – Dina Esfandiary

In episode 11 of In The Zone, Paul Ingram interviews Dina Esfandiary. In this interview, Dina talks about the challenges to diplomacy in the Middle East, the existential need for cooperation and dialogue among Gulf States especially on nuclear safety and security, and the need for unconditional dialogue on a whole range of other issues affecting countries of the Zone, in the process pointing out the many similarities between the US and Iranian political systems. Finally, Dina gives some thought to the role of Civil Society in the region.

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In The Zone – Episode 10 – Anton Khlopkov

In episode 10 of In The Zone, Anahita Parsa and Paul Ingram interview Anton Khlopkov. In this interview, Anton talks about Russia’s view of developments in the Middle East, including the Iran Nuclear Deal and the WMD free zone, the perspectives for future joint Russian-US cooperation in the region, how he became interested in the topic, and advice for young people wanting to enter the field.

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In The Zone – Episode 9 – Ding Tongbing

In episode 9 of In The Zone, Anahita Parsa and Paul Ingram interview Ding Tongbing. In this interview, Ding talks about China’s unique role and approach to the establishment of the WMD-free zone in the region and how this might be evolving in relation to the current developments.

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On the violence in Israel and Palestine

Date: 13th May 2021

The latest violent conflict between Palestine and Israel further destabilises an already volatile region. The Middle East continues to face insecurity, instability and carnage from the manmade catastrophe in the Saudi-led war on Yemen, the on-going Syrian war, Iraq’s internal turmoil, and in faltering states such as Libya and Somalia. METO unequivocally condemns all forms of violent conflict raging across the region by all parties involved. We stand in solidarity with the civilians who are paying the ultimate cost of war with their lives and shattered hopes of a better future.

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METO University Network

METO is delighted to announce the launch of our University Network. METO UN is a network of Student Representatives from educational institutions all over the world who feel somehow connected to the importance of creating a WMD-free zone in the Middle East. Our students could be from the Zone, have family connections to it, or study in relevant fields such as International Relations, Middle East Studies, Peace Studies, and many other.

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